Austin, Texas Weather — Live Forecast & Climate Guide

What Is the Weather Like in Austin, Texas?

Austin's climate is shaped by its position in the Texas Hill Country — slightly elevated, farther from the Gulf Coast, and surrounded by rolling limestone terrain covered in live oak and cedar. The result is a climate that's drier than Houston but warmer than Dallas, with its own unique challenges.

Summers are long and hot (June–September), with 12 days above 100°F per year on average. But unlike Houston, Austin's humidity is moderate enough that shade provides real relief, and evenings cool down pleasantly. The Hill Country setting means stunning sunsets and usable outdoor space even in summer — if you time it right (before 11 AM or after 6 PM).

Austin's unique weather challenges: cedar fever (December–February) is the most intense pollen season in Texas, flash flooding is a serious risk (Austin sits in "Flash Flood Alley"), and wildfire risk exists in the western suburbs bordering dense cedar brush.

With 228 sunny days per year and a vibrant outdoor culture, Austin's climate rewards those who learn its rhythms. The NWS Austin/San Antonio forecast office provides daily updates for the Hill Country region.

Austin Monthly Weather Averages

Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals. Austin receives an average of 34.5 inches of rain per year — less than both Houston and Dallas, concentrated in spring and fall.

Source: NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals (1991–2020), NWS Austin/San Antonio

Is Austin Hotter Than Houston?

Temperature-wise, Austin and Houston are close — both reach 95–98°F in peak summer. But Austin is noticeably less humid (57–66% vs. Houston's 75–77%), which makes a significant difference in how the heat feels. Austin also averages more 100°F+ days per year (12 vs. Houston's 4) because the Hill Country traps and radiates heat.

The bottom line: Austin is technically hotter by the thermometer but feels more comfortable because you can escape into shade and your sweat actually evaporates. Houston's saturated air makes outdoor activity genuinely oppressive from June through September.

See our Houston Weather & Forecast and Texas City Comparison for side-by-side data.

What Is the Coldest Month in Austin?

January is Austin's coldest month, with an average high of 62°F and low of 41°F. Austin sees 15–20 nights below freezing each winter, mostly confined to December through February. Freezing rain is more common than snow — ice on bridges and overpasses can shut down the city for 1–2 days.

Record low: -2°F (January 31, 1949). Record high: 112°F (September 5, 2000).

For relocators: Austin winters are mild enough that a medium-weight jacket handles 95% of cold days. Keep a heavier coat for the handful of sub-freezing mornings.

Austin Allergy Season — The "Allergy Capital" of Texas

Austin has earned the nickname "Allergy Capital" for good reason. Cedar fever season (December–February) is the headline act, but Austin's allergy calendar runs nearly year-round:

Cedar fever explained: Ashe juniper (mountain cedar) trees blanket the Hill Country west of Austin. From December through February, male trees release massive clouds of pollen visible as yellow-orange haze. An estimated 80% of long-term Austin residents develop sensitivity. Symptoms are so severe — congestion, fatigue, headache, sore throat — that newcomers routinely mistake it for the flu. Getting ahead of it with prescription antihistamines or immunotherapy is the best strategy.

Does It Snow in Austin?

Measurable snow in Austin is very rare — roughly once every 5–10 years. When winter precipitation occurs, it's usually sleet or freezing rain rather than fluffy snow. The February 2021 winter storm (Uri) was historic and not representative of normal conditions.

Most Austin winters feel like an extended fall — crisp mornings, pleasant afternoons, and only occasional freezing temps. You won't need snow boots, a snow shovel, or winter tires.

Best Time to Move to Austin

Austin's outdoor lifestyle means the month you arrive shapes your first impression dramatically. Here's the relocator's ranking:

1. October — Austin's best month. High 82°F, ACL Music Festival, perfect patio weather.
2. March–April — SXSW energy, wildflower season (bluebonnets!), warm days (73–80°F). Watch for thunderstorms.
3. November — Mild and comfortable (high 71°F). Great for house hunting.
4. May — Warm but not yet oppressive. Lake season begins.
5. September — Heat starts breaking. Evenings become usable again.

Months to avoid: June–August (100°F days, outdoor activities limited to early morning/evening) and December–February (cedar fever will make your first weeks miserable).

See our Austin Moving Guide and Moving Checklist for complete relocation planning.

Austin Severe Weather & Flash Flooding

Austin's #1 severe weather risk is flash flooding. The city sits in "Flash Flood Alley" — where steep Hill Country terrain, thin soil over limestone bedrock, and intense thunderstorms combine to create rapid, dangerous flooding:

• Barton Creek — Can rise 20+ feet in hours during heavy rain. Greenbelt trail access closes frequently.
• Onion Creek — South Austin's highest-risk flood zone. The 2013 and 2015 floods devastated neighborhoods here.
• Shoal Creek — Runs through central Austin. Historic floods in 1981 killed 13 people downtown.
• Williamson Creek — South Austin flood corridor with frequent closures.

Rules for Austin newcomers: Never drive through standing water. Never park in low-water crossings. Always check FEMA flood maps and LCRA flood operations data before signing a lease. Sign up for Austin's Warn Central Texas alerts. Keep a go-bag ready during spring thunderstorm season (May–June).

For severe thunderstorm preparedness, monitor the NWS Austin/San Antonio page, check the NWS Alerts portal, and enable wireless emergency alerts on your phone.

Austin Wildfire Season

Wildfire risk is real in Austin's western suburbs and the Hill Country communities of Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, and Spicewood. The dense cedar/juniper brush covering the Hill Country is highly flammable during dry summers:

• Peak risk: July–September, during the driest, hottest months.
• 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire: Burned 34,000 acres and destroyed 1,660 homes just 30 miles east of Austin — the most destructive wildfire in Texas history.
• Defensible space: If renting or buying west of MoPac (Loop 1), check for fire-adapted landscaping, defensible space clearance, and proximity to wildland-urban interface zones.

Austin's fire risk is different from Houston's flood risk and Dallas's tornado risk — it's a slower-building, more localized threat that matters most when choosing a specific neighborhood. The Texas A&M Forest Service publishes wildfire risk maps and burn ban status for Travis and surrounding counties.

What to Pack When Moving to Austin

Austin's outdoor-oriented culture means your gear matters. Here's what you need:

• SPF 50+ sunscreen — UV index hits 11 in summer. Austin is at slightly higher elevation than Houston, increasing UV exposure.
• Moisture-wicking outdoor clothing — For hiking, paddleboarding, and the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
• Allergy medication — Stock up BEFORE cedar season starts in December. Prescription-strength recommended.
• Light layers — Austin has 20–30°F temperature swings in spring/fall. Mornings can be 50°F, afternoons 80°F.
• Compact rain jacket — For sudden thunderstorms (not an umbrella — Austin wind shreds them).
• Waterproof shoes — For flash flood days and wet Greenbelt trails.
• Car sunshade — Dashboard temperatures exceed 150°F in direct Austin sun.
• Reusable water bottle — Hydration is critical in Austin's heat. Austin's tap water is excellent (from the Highland Lakes).

What to leave behind: Heavy winter coats (1 medium jacket covers all but 3–5 days/year), snow gear, humidity-sensitive electronics without cases.

Weather in Other Texas Cities

Comparing climates between Texas metros? Each city has a distinctly different weather profile:

• Houston Weather & Forecast — Gulf Coast humidity, hurricane risk, more rain, milder winters.
• Dallas Weather & Forecast — Hotter peaks, drier heat, tornado risk, ice storms in winter.

Explore Austin

• Austin Relocation Hub
• Austin Neighborhoods Guide
• Austin Moving Guide
• Austin Moving Checklist
• Austin City Guide
• Austin Housing & Apartments
• Austin Schools & Districts
• Texas Property Tax Guide
• Austin Cost of Living Calculator